Another bear trap?

Bellwether transport stock Fedex found support at $154, the long tail and rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicating buying pressure. Expect a test of $165. Reversal below $150 is unlikely, but would warn of a test of primary support at $130. Continuation of the primary up-trend signals improvement for the broad economy.

Fedex

* Target calculation: 165 + ( 165 – 150 ) = 180

The S&P 500 is testing its new resistance level at 1900/1910. Last week’s long tail indicates short-term buying pressure but declining 13-week Twiggs Money Flow continues to warn of long-term selling pressure. Recovery above 1910 would suggest that the correction is over, while penetration of the descending trendline would strengthen the signal.

S&P 500

* Target calculation: 1900 – ( 2000 – 1900 ) = 1800

Someone asked why I felt the correction was over, when there are so many bearish signs on the charts. My answer in brief was:

  • Strong support on the Dow and S&P 500;
  • Breach of descending trendline on the ASX 200;
  • October sell-off nearing an end;
  • US reporting season has started and fund managers will revert to accumulation of stronger performing stocks.

I could have added that our market filters continue to indicate low to moderate risk.

I am also suspicious of breaks of support after the bear traps of 2010 and 2011.

S&P 500

Breaches are indicated by red arrows, recoveries by green.

S&P 500

Investors remain extremely skittish after the 2009 crash and likely to jump at shadows.

CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) has retreated below 20%, suggesting low risk typical of a bull market. Recovery above 20% is not likely, but a (significantly) higher trough would warn of rising risk.

VIX Index

The Nasdaq 100 rallied off support at 3700. Follow-through above 3900 would suggest another test of 4100. Recovery above 4000 and the descending trendline would strengthen the signal. Divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates mild selling pressure. Reversal below 3700 and the rising (secondary) trendline would warn of a test of primary support at 3400.

Nasdaq 100

* Target calculation: 3750 – ( 4100 – 3750 ) = 3400

Market lifts despite weak global economy

Minutes of the September FOMC meeting highlight growing unease with the strong US Dollar and a weak global economy. The market read this as “low interest rates” and commenced a buying spree. Last year the quarter-end sell-off ended on October 9th after a 4.2% fall. This year’s correction fell 4.7%, lasting 13 days (so far) compared to 15 days in 2013.

Roberto Dominguez at NY Daily News reports:

“The start of earnings season, with companies including Costco and Alcoa reporting quarterly profits that beat forecasts, also helped push the S&P 500 to its biggest rally in a year.”

While Cullen Roche writes that the US fiscal deficit is shrinking:

“…tax receipts have surged by 7.7% year over year and are up 48% over the last 5 years. And while some of this is due to tax increases the vast majority is due to a healing private sector.”

Bellwether transport stock Fedex continues its primary up-trend, signaling improved economic activity.

Fedex

No doubt boosted by a falling outlook for crude oil.

Nymex and Brent Crude

With positive news about, we should be careful not to forget the Fed’s concern with a weak global economy. While this may drive oil prices even lower, the impact on international sales of major exporters will be closely watched.

S&P 500 recovery above 2000 would indicate the correction is over, while follow-through above 2020 would signal another advance. A 21-day Twiggs Money Flow trough above zero would signal a healthy up-trend. Reversal below 1925 is unlikely, but would test primary support at 1900/1910.

S&P 500

* Target calculation: 2000 + ( 2000 – 1900 ) = 2100

CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) retreated to 15%, indicating low volatility typical of a bull market.

VIX Index

Quarter-end turbulence

We are now approaching the September quarter-end, normally a volatile time for stocks. Investment managers tend to re-balance their portfolios after month-end, selling off poor performers and increasing cash balances to later take advantage of new opportunities. The result is that stocks tend to dip in October. If the fundamental under-pinning of the market is strong, they soon recover and continue on its merry way. But if there are serious flaws, the sell-off can turn into a rout — as in 1987 and 2007.

At present the market outlook appears sound and the bull market is likely to continue. I often use transport stock Fedex as a bellwether for the US economy. If the economy is robust, you can expect Fedex to display a solid up-trend. If weak, Fedex tends to lead the market lower. In November 2007 for example, on the monthly chart below, Fedex signaled a bear market several months ahead of the major indices. The present situation is quite the opposite, with the Fedex in a strong bull-trend, having recently respected support at $145. A 13-week Twiggs Money Flow trough above zero also suggests buying pressure. Economic activity is clearly improving.

Fedex

* Target calculation: 145 + ( 145 – 130 ) = 160

The S&P 500 break above 2010 proved to be a false break, with the market headed for a re-test of support at 1980. Breach would indicate another correction. Declining 21-day Twiggs Money Flow now indicates medium-term selling pressure; a fall below zero would warn of a primary down-trend.

S&P 500

* Target calculation: 2000 + ( 2000 – 1900 ) = 2100

CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) remains low, however, suggesting continuation of the bull market.

VIX Index

Dow Jones Industrial Average also retreated, testing its new support level at 17150. Reversal below 16950 would indicate a correction, while respect would suggest another advance. Declining 21-day Twiggs Money Flow also suggests medium-term selling pressure.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

* Target calculation: 16500 + ( 16500 – 15500 ) = 17500

My conclusion is that the bull market is sound, but likely to encounter some turbulence over the quarter-end. There may be a secondary correction, but respect of recent support levels would indicate a fresh advance.

Dow finds support

Dow Jones Industrial Average retraced to test support at 17000. Respect is likely and would indicate a fresh advance. Follow-through above 17150 would confirm a target of 17500*. Recovery of 21-day Twiggs Money Flow above its July peak would strengthen the signal. Reversal below 16950 is unlikely, but would warn of another correction.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

* Target calculation: 16500 + ( 16500 – 15500 ) = 17500

The S&P 500 is also testing support — at 2000. Respect would offer a target of 2100*. Follow-through above 2005 would confirm. A small trough above zero on 21-day Twiggs Money Flow is encouraging, but reversal below 20% would warn of selling pressure. Failure of short-term support at 1985/1990 is unlikely, but would warn of another correction.

S&P 500

* Target calculation: 2000 + ( 2000 – 1900 ) = 2100

Low CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) readings are typical of a bull market.

VIX Index

Bellwether transport stock Fedex respected support at $144/$145, indicating another advance. Follow-through above $154/$155 would confirm a healthy up-trend — for both the stock and the economy. Likewise, a 13-week Twiggs Money Flow trough above zero would suggest long-term buying pressure and another primary advance. Breach of support is unlikely, but would warn of a correction to primary support at $129/$130.

Fedex

* Target calculation: 145 + ( 145 – 130 ) = 160

Dow and Fedex find support

Dow Jones Industrial Average is testing medium-term support at the December high of 16500. Respect of this line would indicate a healthy up-trend, while breach would warn of a correction to the primary trendline. Failure of primary support at 15400/15600 remains unlikely, but would warn of reversal to a down-trend. Completion of a 13-week Twiggs Money Flow trough above zero would suggest long-term buying pressure and another primary advance.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

* Target calculation: 16500 + ( 16500 – 15500 ) = 17500

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) remains below 20, suggesting continuation of the bull market.

VIX Index

Bellwether transport stock Fedex is also testing support at its December high ($144/$145). Respect would confirm a healthy up-trend — for both the stock and the economy. Likewise, a 13-week Twiggs Money Flow trough above zero would suggest long-term buying pressure and another primary advance. Breach of support is unlikely, but would warn of a test of primary support at $129/$130.

Fedex

* Target calculation: 145 + ( 145 – 130 ) = 160

Fedex brings a warm glow

Summary:

  • Bellwether transport stock Fedex completes a cup-and-handle continuation pattern.
  • The Dow continues its strong up-trend.

Bellwether transport stock Fedex completed a strong cup and handle continuation pattern, offering a target of 160*. Recovery of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow above zero and the descending trendline indicates medium-term buying pressure. Breakout brings a warm glow as I find Fedex one of the most reliable indicators of overall market direction — as in November 2007.

Fedex

* Target calculation: 145 + ( 145 – 130 ) = 160

Dow Jones Industrial Average is testing medium-term resistance at 17000. Breakout is likely and would signal an advance to 17500*. Recovery of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow above the descending trendline would indicate medium-term buying pressure. Reversal below 16750 is unlikely, but would warn of a correction.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

* Target calculation: 16500 + ( 16500 – 15500 ) = 17500

S&P 500 not yet out of the woods

The S&P 500 rallied off support at 1840/1850 but a weak close warns of further resistance. Bearish divergence on 21-day Twiggs Money Flow (not shown) indicates medium-term selling pressure. I have highlighted daily Volume that is more than 1 standard deviation outside the 50-day moving average on the graph below. The latest red bar showed strong resistance at triple-witching hour, but the last two rallies on low volume also suggest a lack of commitment from buyers. Reversal below 1840 would signal a correction. Breakout above 1880 is less likely, but would signal an advance to 1950*.

S&P 500

* Target calculation: 1850 + ( 1850 – 1750 ) = 1950

CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) below 15, however, continues to indicate low risk typical of a bull market.

VIX Index

The Nasdaq 100 below 3600 indicates a correction. Penetration of the (secondary) rising trendline would strengthen the signal. Sharply falling 21-day Twiggs Money Flow, following bearish divergence, warns of strong selling pressure and a test of primary support at 3400/3420. Recovery above 3650 is unlikely, but would indicate another advance.

Nasdaq 100

* Target calculation: 3600 + ( 3600 – 3400 ) = 3800

Bellwether Transport stock Fedex is headed for another test of primary support at $128/$130. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero warns of strong selling pressure and a primary down-trend. Failure of primary support would confirm, suggesting a broad economic slow-down.

Fedex

Fedex bellwether

Bellwether Transport stock Fedex is headed for another test of primary support at $129/$130 on the monthly chart. Recovery above $145 would offer a target of $170*, but breach of support would warn of a primary down-trend — suggesting a broad economic slow-down. Breach of the (secondary) rising trendline, and support at $120, would strengthen the signal.

Fedex

* Target calculation: 145 + ( 145 – 120 ) = 170

S&P 500 advance

The S&P 500 found support at 1850, signaling an advance to 1950*. Repeated troughs high above zero on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicate strong long-term buying pressure

S&P 500

CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) below 15 continues to reflect low market risk typical of a bull market.

VIX Index

The Nasdaq 100 respected support at 3600, but bearish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow warns of medium-term selling pressure. Failure of support would warn of another correction. Follow-through above 3700, however, would offer a target of 3800*.

Nasdaq 100

* Target calculation: 3600 + ( 3600 – 3400 ) = 3800

Bellwether Transport stock Fedex found support at $130 on the monthly chart. Breakout above $145 would offer a target of $170*. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates buying pressure. A bullish sign for the broader economy. Reversal below $130 is unlikely, but would warn of a decline to $120.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

* Target calculation: 145 + ( 145 – 120 ) = 170

Strong recovery in 2014

The S&P 500 followed through above 1810, signaling another primary advance. Troughs high above zero on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicate strong long-term buying pressure. Short corrections such as the recent retracement are normally followed by strong gains, but there is no reliable method calculating targets in an accelerating up-trend. The target of 1910* calculated by the conventional method may well underestimate the advance.

S&P 500

* Target calculation: 1810 + ( 1810 – 1710 ) = 1910

My favorite bellwether, transport stock Fedex, is surging ahead on the monthly chart, suggesting a strong recovery for the US economy in the year ahead.

Fedex

CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) readings below 20 also suggest a bull market.

VIX Index